Playbuilders

"Fostering Ohana" with PlayBuilders of Hawaii

Currently there is a shortage of 70 foster homes on Oahu. National Statistics on Foster Children aging out of the System share dismal outcomes; only 58% graduate high school by the age of 19; less than 10% go on to college; 1 in 5 will become homeless; 1 in 4 will be incarcerated within two years of exiting the system. For most former foster children, problems exist in forming stable cohabiting situations, parenting and social relationships.

In an effort to help find more high quality foster homes and as a way to reach out to former foster youth, PlayBuilders of Hawaii Theater Company, in collaboration with Partners in Development, Queen Lili’ouklani Children’s Center, Catholic Charities, Hawai’i and other foster care helping organizations, is developing a play with the assistance of former foster youth, ages 18 to 26, while teaching them the art of acting and dance for one year, on Sunday nights at the ARTS at Marks Garage. In the spring of 2017, the finished play will be rehearsed and taken on a state-wide tour as a way to educate the public about this very important issue and hopefully recruit more foster homes. For more information on this project please go to www.playbuilders.org or contact Terri Madden atterri.madden@playbuilders.org.